PC won't boot up after trying an old HDD

Discussion in 'General Hardware' started by 0rpheus, Jul 15, 2014.

  1. 0rpheus

    0rpheus Active Member

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    Hi

    I found an old HDD (I think it crashed back in the day) and thought I'd give it a try and maybe recover some old files I had there; so I disconnected the current HDD and replaced it with the old one. But of course it didn't work, got a "BOOTMGR is missing" during boot up. Then I tried another old HHD that I knew had worked before but I got the same "BOOTMGR is missing" error.

    But now when I connected the original HDD again, the PC won't boot up anymore. I get this weird boot up screen that I've never seen before (sorry for the crappy huge picture but I hope this will do)-
    http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b113/Orpheus666/P7150025_zps98c7193d.jpg

    There used to be a lot of some kind of lines of text that ran down but now there's only this box.

    I have no idea what to do. Any advice is welcome!

    EDIT: Forgot to mention I can't access BIOS because I only get a black screen with a blinking underscore sign when I try to do so.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2014
  2. BLEH!

    BLEH! Ancient Guru

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    did you switch AHCI on/off?
     
  3. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    Probably the boot order changed in the BIOS when you removed the only bootable HDD

    Check to make sure the working HDD is set as primary boot device

    EDIT - Check that the SATA cables are connected properly too, looks like it can't even see the HDD
     
  4. 0rpheus

    0rpheus Active Member

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    No; I forgot to mention I can't get into BIOS either
     

  5. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    Pull the CMOS battery for 30 seconds with the mains power cord disconnected
     
  6. PieEyedPiper

    PieEyedPiper Master Guru

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    Reset CMOS

    EDIT: too slow.
     
  7. 0rpheus

    0rpheus Active Member

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    I checked the cables, everything looks OK and connected properly. I also did the CMOS reset but it didn't chance anything, I can't get into BIOS, I get a black screen with a blinking underscore like before
     
  8. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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    Remove the HDD and see if you can get into the BIOS

    Chances it is still scanning hardware and hanging on the HDD
     
  9. 0rpheus

    0rpheus Active Member

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    You were right, removing the HDD fixed the problem. I got into BIOS and everything is working again!

    Thank you Extraordinary and everyone else who took the time to reply, I really appreciate it!
     
  10. Extraordinary

    Extraordinary Guest

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  11. Rich_Guy

    Rich_Guy Ancient Guru

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    I love a happy ending me! :D
     

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